Did he just see me? Damn horn, you gave me away, the deer hissed. The deer crept forward, each step measured and heavy with suspicion.
"COME ON! I'm in a hurry!" Vein barked.
His voice echoed through the trees, scattering a few startled birds into the grey sky.
He's in a hurry, huh... I heard they're gonna kill that Claw... The deer dipped her head, her thoughts spiraling into silence.
I heard he's the king of
"I SAID HURRY!"
His words were sliced in half by the roar that followed.
"Okay, okay... you're gonna eat me, huh?" the deer said, her tone flat, too tired to hide the truth she already accepted.
Like it's gonna happen, she thought.
Look at yourself ... you can barely stand. I don't think you'll even try to catch me.
Vein licked his fangs, his breath coming in ragged bursts as his tongue brushed them.
The deer's expression weakened.
"I'M SORRY! PLEASE, DO WHATEVER YOU WANT — JUST KEEP ME ALIVE! "
"Huh?" Vein said.
"Do You want me to spare you?" Vein's voice wavered between mockery and exhaustion.
I knew it... He acted stronger with that bear — and the other skinny leopard.
Such pride , and it all points back to Claw's power. She Thought
The deer thought this while maintaining her frightened expression.
The silence between them thickened.
Vein's gaze didn't waver. The deer felt its weight pressing down like a shadow too large to escape.
Suddenly, a thought struck him like lightning.
"That deer... if I hold off the hunger a little longer... maybe I could use her." Vein Thought
His lips curled into something that wasn't quite a smile. Hunger and cunning blurred into one thought.
"Hey, deer! I'll spare your life!" Vein's grin curved like a blade pretending to smile.
"Really!? Thank you!! I love you!!" The deer's tone filled with gratitude.
Vein blinked slowly, the corner of his mouth twitching — not in kindness, but calculation.
He's maybe smart... too smart... the deer thought while following behind Vein.
But for a leader... her smirk widened.
Vein's steps were uneven, his breath rough. The deer noticed — and that alone was enough to make her grin.
A faint breeze rustled through the scorched grass. The deer's eyes gleamed, a trace of amusement flickering beneath the fear.
"Why are you smiling?" Vein's side-eye cut through the silence like a blade.
Heeeh... I really underestimated him, the deer thought.
Her hooves faltered for just a moment, crunching the dry soil beneath. The sound felt too loud, too revealing.
"No, no! I'm just... happy to serve you, sir!" The deer's voice cracked, her body frozen mid-step.
I should be cautious about his senses...
The air seemed sharper now, each breath carrying Vein's presence closer than before.
And also... I don't think things will go well...
That Claw... I saw him near the mountain days ago. Our eyes met, but... he didn't strike.[1]
Maybe that was the strangest part for me.. , mercy, from someone they all feared.
The thought chilled her more than Vein's presence ever could.
And .. Why did he urinate as he approached the mountain?
Did he fear them... did they force him?
More important than all...
is he really Claw the one everyone fears? She thought
The deer slowed; her eyes drifted to the ground.
Her hooves trembled. Every memory pressed at the base of her skull, slowing her like a tide pulling back before a storm.
THUD!
She stomped on a tree root.
Vein's shadow loomed over her, teeth flashing in the dim light as the warning slashed the air.
"Hey, stupid deer! If you don't keep up, I will just eat you!"
"My, my name is Ivy, though!" the deer blurted, her voice wavering.
"I don't care! Move!" Vein barked.
Ivy woke with a grin she could barely suppress.
I'm too curious... I can't help it! Ivy thought, her eyes gleaming.
The air was cold enough to sting, yet excitement buzzed through her chest stronger than fear.
As they neared the mountain, three silhouettes emerged from the mist.
The wind howled down the slope, carrying the faint echo of voices, or maybe growls. Ivy froze, her legs trembling.
Vein froze mid-step, a sharp gasp breaking the silence.
"What am I seeing in front of my eyes?!" Ivy whispered, stunned by the sight.
[1] Claw and The Deer first crossed paths back in Chapter 3: “Tribe.”